A delegation of farmers’ representatives, politicians and Non-Governmental Organizations on Thursday called on Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and appealed him to make amendments to the Seed Bill.
Talking to media persons after meeting the Union Minister, Agriculture Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana, who led the delegation, stated that Sharad Pawar responded positively to the request of State Government. He said that the Union Minister assured him that he would look into the issue after discussing the same with the officials concerned and the seed companies.
Lakshminarayana said that the amendment was aimed to make the seed companies pay higher compensation in case of crop failure. Besides, it also calls for increased punishments to the representatives of companies when the seeds fail to deliver, he pointed out.
The delegation comprised of Eluru MP Kavuri Sambhasiva Rao, Rajya Sabha members V Hanumantha Rao, K V P Ramachandra Rao, MP Undavalli Aruna Kumar, Killi Kruparani, Nandi Ellaiah, Kodanda Reddy of Kisan Cell, S Malla Reddy (All-India Kisan Sabha, farmers’ wing of the Communist Party of India) and representatives of non-governmental organisations including Rythu Swarajya Vedika. (INN)